Monday, July 07, 2008

Hot. Damn.

Um, damn. No, I mean it, DAMN. If you don’t know who the physical specimen is above, then I suggest you sit down before proceeding. Seriously, sit down. Because what I’m about to tell you next just might knock you on your ass. Please say hello to Dara Torres. Please say hello to 41-year-old Dara Torres. Please say hello to 41-year-old, mother of a two-year-old Dara Torres. Please say hello to 41-year-old, mother of a two-year-old and soon-to-be five-time Olympian Dara Torres.

Um, did I mention damn?

Dara made her fifth U.S. Olympic team over the weekend, qualifying in both the 50-meter and 100-meter freestyle races. Both times, she beat a field of 20-something. Dara competed in her first Olympics in 1984 where she took home a gold medal at age 17. For those counting at home, 24 years have passed since then. That means her first Olympic medal is older than some of you reading right now. Already it’s a good year older than fellow Olympian Michael Phelps. Her last Olympics were in Sydney in 2000. Her accomplishment at this weekend’s trials make her the first American swimmer to compete in five games and the oldest female swimmer in the history of the Olympics.

Right about now, I have the feeling you’re with me on the damn.

The New York Times Magazine ran a feature on Torres before the U.S. Olympic Trials. [Hat tip, Lola!] The story called her 41-year-old body “breathtaking” and I really can’t think of a better word. It’s staggering, really. The article also explains how she keeps it that way with a team that includes “a head coach, a sprint coach, a strength coach, two stretchers, two masseuses, a chiropractor and a nanny, at the cost of at least $100,000 per year.” It even addresses the inevitable doping questions (she has never tested positive and recently even volunteered to be in a new, much more strenuous anti-doping pilot program.)

Over the weekend Dara won both her races, beating out competitors 16 and 20 years younger than her. On the way to winning the 50-meter freestyle she set a new American record. After winning the latter, she told reporters: “I think I’ve shown that you don’t want to put an age limit on your dreams.”

Like I was saying, damn.

p.s. Just in case her physique, haircut or uber hotness pinged any of your collective gaydars, she is apparently straight. That’s a whole different kind of damn.

I saw her featured on some TV show about a month or so ago and she had just set some new swimming record then, so it's definitely not a fluke. I feel so much better about being over 40. Now, I must go do about a bazillion crunches...sigh.

She's an inspiration, amazing, talented woman with a very pretty face.

But I think the reason I don't fit in with the lesbian community is because I don't find her body attractive at all. Where are the curves? Where's the softness? Where are her breasts? I mean, she's beautiful, all women are beautiful, and her body is amazing. But attractive? Eek, not for me. Just my 2cents.

Well, she looks pretty incredible for any age and certainly for hers. But I agree with the poster who said she needed curves. Her pictures make me wanna feed her some curly fries or something.

hough I don't think not finding her attractive has anyhting to do with not fitting into the lesbian community. My preferred body type is Mariska's (the boobs, the legs, the everything), and she certainly is a lesbian favorite :)

With not fitting in I just meant that, at least where I live, there is a powerful animosity against femmes, especially femmes who prefer other femmes. So I'm a little jumpy...instinctively waiting for someone to tell me that I'm clearly not gay then! Sorry :o)

(PS Dara has a very beautiful face, and a remarkable figure. I hope I don't sound like a hater...I just would never see her and think "hot damn".)

When I overheard the radio talking about her recently I didn't know anything about her. Now when I hear something on her I will start drooling. I may have to rethink my usual avoidance of all things Olympic. (However un-lesbian it may seem, I've never liked sports.)

AP reports she is dropping out of the 100 free. Probably a good idea. That said, if I had $100,000 a year to spend on coaches, trainers, massage therapists, a chiropractor AND a nanny (not that I would need the nanny) even I could be in pretty good shape for my age, though most likely not olympic trial winning shape. I chalk up her success to incredibly good genes and a ton o'money and free time. I hope she kicks ass in the 50 & relays!

Less than a month left until the Olympics! Thanks for bringing attention to one of the stars! And if think she's the only mother with a great bod, check out the guests on this show: Living Beautiful Radio. They've interviewed a woman who's a mother of six and still remains in top shape. They're recently interviewed Gina Osterly who's 40 and still fit!

I may be missing the point here, but if you are looking at women athletes, I would encourage you to look into Cristina Sanchez, a matadora of great character. She was never covered much in the US media, but she is worth knowing.